One of the hard truths that no one will tell you about caring for an elderly parent is the fact that it’s extremely difficult. In fact, it’s not something that the vast majority of people can do on their own. Even if you are giving in-home care on your own, there comes a time where it’s better to take a break and let someone else give the care to your mother or father. It’s good for you mentally, it prevents burnout, and it helps you give better care when you are on duty. Respite care or extended care is one of the best ways to improve your own care in the end.
If the person you are caring for has Alzheimer’s disease, caring for them is even tougher. You will watch your mom or dad get worse from week to week and month to month, and at times, they might not even know who you are. Not only is it hard to watch, it can be discouraging and demoralizing. If this is happening to you, you need to enlist the help of others. A professional caregiver is the best choice, but it is understandable that you might have reservations about paying for care. Here are three things to consider before you decide to just keep going on your own.
A professional is cheaper. Yes, paying someone to care for your parent has an upfront cost, but over time, it ends up being even more expensive to not pay for a service to help out. The opportunity cost of not going to work, of sacrificing opportunities, and otherwise being confined to the house while you help out the person you love has a hidden cost, and in the end, professional care is a lot cheaper.
A professional is more knowledgeable. You love your parent, and you want the best for them, but that doesn’t mean that you are the best caregiver for your own family member. A professional is able to do things that you might not know need to be done. For one, if an emergency comes up, they will have a much better knowledge base on which to act, and will handle it in a safer and quicker manner. Knowledge, in this case, can keep your parent a lot healthier, and it will go a long way toward keeping them happier, too.
A professional can teach you. There are likely things that you don’t know about providing proper care. And a professional caregiver does know them. Unless you are paying for around the clock care for mom or dad, you will be spending some time with them on your own. The things that you pick up from what they do while providing assistance can allow you to care for them better, too. By relinquishing some of the care duties, you are not only going to help them get better care without you, they will get better care with you, too. In essence, you are getting help, but improving your own care, too.
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